Рет қаралды 4,466
Inevitably the first question when I put up a trumpet video up on the shop page, here on YT, or FB is
"What's the Bore Size?"
Because it's a number that most people can digest that tends to point most people into a broad assumption on how an instrument might play. I hope you enjoy this mini-lesson (okay maybe a bit of a rant) into some of my thoughts with years of research, testing, development of numerous different trumpet models, and working with thousands of customers how I come to this conclusion.
0:43 Many people think that bore size is THE determining factor in how a horn will play. But you have horns like the open-feeling Adams A6 (actually a small bore trumpet at .438") or the Yamaha Bobby Shew model (a poly-bore design) that demonstrate that smaller/more efficient designs don't necessarily feel stuffy.
2:22 What's more important than bore size in determining the feel of how a horn plays? There IS a small area of the horn that has a huge effect on feel, and it's not the second valve slide (where bore size is traditionally measured).
2:55 A classic vintage example is the Blessing Super Artist trumpet played by Clifford Brown. That model has a large .468" bore, but it feels very tight.
4:11 The shape, taper, dimensions, and material of the bell can make a huge difference. Is the valve block a one piece or a two piece design? What alloys are used in the block? These factors have a larger effect than bore size on how the horn plays.
5:20 Bore size is one decision out of hundreds that go into designing a trumpet. Of course it's important, and of course it can affect how a horn plays. Why else would they make different bore sizes? But there's no reason to get hung up on that one element as being the only thing worth knowing about a trumpet.
6:09 Bore size is overrated by many people. There's so much that goes into creating a great trumpet design. For example: a couple years ago I was at the Adams factory to help on the A6 design, and we added a small counterweight and changed the material of the second valve slide. That small change dramatically helped the sound and intonation on the high Eb.
Thanks for watching, I hope you learned a little bit about trumpet design and why "what's the bore size" shouldn't be the first question to ask about a trumpet. Want to learn anything else about trumpet playing? Let me know in the comments and it might become a new mini-lesson here on the channel!
TLDW: Everything affects everything!
We have tons of great horns (in all sorts of bore sizes!) available at:
htttps://www.austincustombrass.biz
Please take a moment to subscribe to our channel and thanks always for your continued support of the shop!